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Mailbag: How Much Salary Cap Pie Is Left?

by
Bryan Broaddus
,
Rob Phillips
&
Dallas Cowboys Mailbag

Now that we know the financials surrounding Zeke's deal, is it at all possible to still sign Dak Prescott, Amari Cooper, Leighton Vander Esch and Byron Jones, or will we have to let some talent walk? - JIMMY MIGUEL / ELIZABETH, NJ

Rob: Not sure why Vander Esch is in your group since he has up to four years left on his rookie deal, counting a fifth-year option. Obviously there’s less pie, as Jerry would say. Just know that he and Stephen Jones and their staff project their cap situation years down the road. They wouldn’t have extended Zeke, Jaylon Smith and Collins if they couldn’t make fair offers to Prescott, Cooper and others. The team does have a lot of players up after 2019. You never can keep absolutely everyone, but they intend to keep retaining the bulk of the core.

Bryan: The cap guys have always been consistent in saying they can sign them all but they also need agents to work with them. If Jaylon Smith and La’el Collins can do it others just might follow.

All the noise is about Zeke’s new deal, and rightfully so, but how does La’el Collins’ extension affect Connor Williams and the new guy, Connor McGovern, going forward? Talk was that Williams would shift to right tackle and McGovern would slide in at guard next season. With Collins’ new contract, how does this play out next year? - ROB CANTERBURY/LAKELAND, FL

Rob: Would you rather have let Collins walk? He’s still growing as a right tackle and has the talent to be elite. They didn’t draft McGovern because Collins at the time was entering the final year of his deal. McGovern was the best player left on their board in the late third round. The most important thing right now is simply getting McGovern healthy. He’s got a chance to come off injured reserve at midseason, but unfortunately he’s missed valuable time with the pectoral injury.

Bryan: McGovern was a third-round pick but had a second-round grade on their board. That’s never a wasted pick. That’s smart drafting. McGovern can play center/guard. He will be the Joe Looney next season when/if he decides to move on in free agency.